School board may need to consider Reduction in Force

ALBANY, GA (WALB) - As budget concerns loom, Dougherty County school board members are considering all options, including a reduction in force. While the policy isn't new, the board hasn't needed to refer to it for years.

Tuesday, the personnel committee reviewed the policy to see what circumstances would dictate it being implemented. Lack of funding, decrease in student enrollment, financial practices and reorganization are all reasons for reduction in force, and all are possibilities for the school system.

"It may well be something we have to look at, but at this point, we still have no 2010 figures from the state, so we're being conservative and looking at all possibilities." Currently, contracts must be offered to returning employees by April 15th.

There may be an extension, but no decision has been made on that by the General Assembly yet. If a reduction in force were to take place, it wouldn't just be teaching positions in jeopardy, administrative positions could also be targeted for elimination or consolidation.